SALEM, Mass. - The Albertus Magnus College women's ice hockey team clinched a spot in the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) tournament after a 2-1 win over Salem State on Friday evening.

Molly Martin (Buffalo, N.Y.) and Kayla Clark (Avon, Conn.) each had a goal for the Falcons.

Christmas Johnson (Winnipeg, Manitoba) had 18 saves in net for Albertus.

THE BASICS

FINAL: Albertus Magnus 2 | Salem State 1

RECORDS: Albertus (5-17-2, 3-13-1 NEHC) | Salem State (6-18, 2-15 NEHC)

BOX

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• With the game scoreless just over halfway through the first period, the Falcons got on the board as Martin blocked a shot from the Vikings, then grabbed the puck behind the net and raced the Salem State defense down the ice and fired a shot just after crossing the blueline past goaltender, Samantha Jaworski for her team-leading eighth goal of the season and giving Albertus the 1-0 lead.
• The Falcons took the one-goal lead into the second period and held onto it after both teams went scoreless as Johnson stopped both shots she faced in net and Jaworski stopped all 13 she faced for Salem State.
• Clark gave the Falcons a 2-0 lead in the third as a loose puck trickled from the boards to just in front of the crease. Clark was able to put it home at the 3:46 mark of the period. Tori Walsh (Marystown, Newfoundland) and Jodi Ostroski (Roseau, Minn.) each were credited with an assist on the goal.
• Salem State did get one back at the 10:10 mark of the third as Halle Greenleaf raced down the ice and scored while sliding into the net to make it a 2-1 game. Johnson was able to shut down the Vikings the rest of the way.

BETWEEN THE PIPES

Albertus

Christmas Johnson (W, 4-14-2) 19 Shots on Goal | 18 Saves | 1 Goal Allowed

Salem State

Samantha Jaworski (L, 2-5) 26 Shots on Goal | 24 Saves | 2 Goals Allowed

TEAM STATS

Power-Play Goals/Opportunities

Albertus 0/3 | Salem State 0/5

Penalties/Minutes

Albertus 5/10 | Salem State 3/6

Faceoffs Won

Albertus 26 | Salem State 32

UP NEXT

The two teams meet again on Saturday as the two teams meet again at 2 p.m. as they wrap up their regular season.